What I’m Putting In My Summer Holiday Suitcase

Holiday packing: it doesn’t have to be stressful! (Although when doing it for two children, one of which has strong opinions now on what they want to wear, that is a whole other level of stress)

I’m very lucky to be heading to Ibiza next week with the family, so I have started packing, & I am trying to make it as easy as possible (for my packing at least), and wanted to share my tips & some easy-to-recreate outfit formulas with you.

But first, let’s talk about why holiday packing feels so overwhelming in the first place!  The truth is, our time-poor lifestyles mean we often leave packing until the last minute, and without a clear plan, we end up either overpacking (hello, excess baggage fees! And too many shoes we don’t actually wear) or underpacking the essentials. That’s exactly why I’m sharing my approach to help you avoid the stress & actually enjoy the prep process!

Before you even think about packing

Here’s my secret: the key to stress-free packing starts before you even open your suitcase!

Take 30 minutes to do a quick wardrobe audit of your existing summer pieces. You might be surprised at what you already own that’s perfect for your trip.

Pull out everything summery & ask yourself:

• What did I actually wear on my last holiday? (check back through your photos if you can’t remember)

• What’s still in great condition & makes me feel fabulous in the sunshine?

• What gaps do I genuinely need to fill?

• And I always think is there anything that I can get sun cream on / or not on

Now create a simple shopping list based on what’s missing. Set yourself a realistic budget; remember, you’ll likely wear your favourite pieces on repeat anyway (as we all do!), so investing in a few quality items beats buying loads of cheaper pieces you’ll wear once (although cheaper is better if they are styles which will get hit often by the suncream). Plus, think about how you can wear these pieces back home too; the holiday maxi dress will be perfect with a jacket & your favourite trainers for autumn. Those linen trousers? Gorgeous with a chunky knit or sweatshirt when the temperature drops.

Another great tip I find is to choose a cohesive colour palette that works with your complexion to make mixing & matching your pieces effortless. 

Here’s the thing: less really is more when it comes to holiday packing. You never wear everything you pack; you’ll naturally gravitate towards your favourites and wear them on repeat. And that’s absolutely fine! In hot climates, clothes dry quickly, so you can easily wash & re-wear pieces. This approach not only reduces your suitcase weight but also makes getting dressed each day so much simpler.

My top 10 holiday packing tips

1. Pack in outfits, using careful mix & match mentality

2. Travel in your trainers, and potentially a jacket, so you don’t have to pack such bulky items in your case

3. Really use your jewellery/accessories to change up your looks

4. Balance prints & plains for an easier mix-n-match capsule wardrobe

5. If heels are a non-negotiable (really think about that one), go for a mid-block sandal, but ensure you’ll be wearing them more than once before adding them to the suitcase.

6. Use your beach bag as your carry-on if it is a structured bag

7. Go for neutral-based items with pops of colour accessories

8. If you feel uncomfortable, maybe in shorts if you’re me, then ensure you love your outfit to distract from the insecurity & boost your confidence

9. Try to avoid black swimwear; colour will boost your confidence & looks better on almost everyone, especially when your wearing little or no make-up

10. Don’t forget your SPF ladies!

Your 7-Day holiday packing checklist

Want to make packing even easier? Here’s my go-to formula for a week away:

Clothing:

• 3-4 tops/vests (mix of plain, print & texture)

• 2-3 bottoms (shorts, trousers, or skirts that coordinate)

• 3 dresses (one casual, one for evenings)

• 2-3 swimsuits / bikinis (they need time to dry!)

• 1-2 cover-ups (I personally prefer to take shirts)

• 1 light jacket (in case the restaurant has extreme air con)

• Underwear for each day plus a couple of spares

• I always take a linen waistcoat to smarten up my maxi dresses for evenings, p;us they create a great waist shape

Shoes & Accessories:

• Trainers (wear these for travel)

• Comfortable sandals / sliders for daytime

• One dressier pair for evenings

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• 2-3 bags (beach bag, textured evening clutch, crossbody for sightseeing)

• Versatile jewellery pieces (and don’t forget holidays are the perfect time to add to your accessory collection)

Don’t Forget:

• SPF (seriously, don’t forget this!)

• Toiletries

• Any gym or activewear if that’s your thing

Feel free to adjust based on your trip length; this is just a starting point!

Happy packing, don’t stress & have a great holiday (that is the main thing)!

Need a hand putting together your perfect holiday wardrobe? I offer Personal Shopping & Online Shopping Edit services to take the stress out of holiday prep – get in touch to find out more!